Ugandan singer and comedian Wizbu Ranks has accused ghetto talent promoter Shirtless of uploading his original music video to the promoter’s YouTube channel without his consent, raising questions about ownership and who financed the production.
Wizbu Ranks, who gained public attention through his viral freestyle song “Nabba Embwa,” says Shirtless helped expose him to a wider audience but did not introduce him to the entertainment industry.
“The challenge I have so far faced in the music industry starts with Shirtless himself,” Wizbu said. “He didn’t bring me into the industry. He only exposed me to the public, but I have personally been active in the entertainment industry.”
The singer’s main complaint concerns the original video, which he says was uploaded to Shirtless’ YouTube channel even though he also operates his own platform.
According to Wizbu, he contacted the promoter to question the upload but was told that the work was entirely Shirtless’ effort.
“Shirtless took my video and uploaded it on his YouTube channel, yet I also have mine. Not the freestyle video, but the original video. When I called him, he told me that it was all his effort,” he explained.
Wizbu Ranks says he financed the video
The dispute also centres on who paid for the production. Wizbu maintains that he personally covered the cost of shooting the video, challenging any suggestion that the promoter deserves sole credit for the work.
“If he contributed to the video shoot, he should come out and narrate his side of the story. I financed the shooting of the video,” the singer said.
He further claimed that Shirtless had initially agreed to a contribution arrangement before later telling him that the effort was entirely his own.
“Omusajja yasiima and told me to contribute my share, but when I called him, he said it was all his effort. So now, I don’t understand whether my work belongs to him,” Wizbu added.
The supplied account does not include a response from Shirtless, leaving his position on the video upload, production costs and ownership unclear.
The story behind ‘Nabba Embwa’
Beyond the dispute, Wizbu Ranks has stood by the personal experience behind his breakout freestyle, “Nabba Embwa.”
The singer says he was once arrested over allegations that he had stolen a dog and subsequently spent three months in prison. He maintains that the events described in the song are based on his own experience.
His journey into entertainment also predates the song’s popularity. Wizbu previously worked with Amarula Family, the comedy outfit led by Amooti Omubalanguzi.
Away from performing, he has earned money painting and installing event banners on Kampala’s streets, work he says has helped him support himself and his family.
The success of “Nabba Embwa” has since brought him greater public attention and opportunities to perform at bars for payment.
For Wizbu, the growing visibility has opened new doors, but his account of the dispute with Shirtless shows that questions about credit, production costs and control over his music remain unresolved.